S2Ep9: Writing, Fragrance & the Long Game of Creativity: with Dariush Alavi (Persolaise)
In this thoughtful and deeply layered episode of The Epiphany Dialogues, Zimmy is joined by Dariush Alavi — writer, freelance journalist, teacher, and internationally respected perfume critic known as Persolaise — for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, patience, and what it means to remain human in a fast-moving world.
Dariush reflects on his lifelong relationship with writing, from publishing his first words as a child to navigating the doubts, discipline, and devotion required to write novels that take years to unfold. He speaks candidly about creative resistance, imposter syndrome, and why the act of writing is often less about productivity and more about inquiry, healing, and understanding people — including ourselves.
The conversation naturally weaves into the world of fragrance, exploring how scent became another language for storytelling, memory, and emotional resonance. Dariush shares how growing up in the UAE shaped his sensory awareness, how perfume criticism found him unexpectedly, and why fragrance — like literature — is ultimately about intention, craft, and human expression.
Together, Zimmy and Dariush also reflect on the role of art in an age of automation and AI, questioning speed, output, and the erosion of depth. At its heart, this episode is a meditation on the long game of creativity — on slowing down, trusting process, and honoring the quiet, unseen work behind meaningful art.
A reflective, honest, and inspiring dialogue for writers, creatives, fragrance lovers, and anyone navigating the tension between creation and consumption.
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You can find Dariush Alavi on: persolaise.comSubstack: dariushalavi.substack.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PersolaisePerfumes/videosInstagram and TikTok: @Persolaise
You can find our Host - Zimmy; and Producer - Nick on:Zimmy Khan: www.epiphany-zk.com and www.theloveacademyworld.com Nick Zaman's book: Out of the Block. A Practical Guide to Harnessing the Power of the Hidden Mechanics of Existence. (under the pen name Emen Zee) on Amazon: https://a.co/d/11ZPHvI
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